Nelson Cruz says 'I want to be in the fire right away'

CaptionBALTIMORE ORIOLES

Karl Merton Ferron, Baltimore Sun

The Orioles sported the most power-packed lineup in the major leagues last year and just added free agent Nelson Cruz to the mix. Executive vice president Dan Duquette was hoping to add more on-base potential, but he made headlines instead for adding another potential 30-homer threat. This is a stretch, but theoretically the Orioles could get 20 or more home runs from every position in the batting order. They'll still need to improve the continuity of the offense by pumping up that so-so on-base percentage, something that Buck Showalter has identified as a priority this spring. A rejuvenated Nick Markakis figures to help, but let's not get carried away and assume Chris Davis is going to hit 53 home runs every year.

The Orioles sported the most power-packed lineup in the major leagues last year and just added free agent Nelson Cruz to the mix. Executive vice president Dan Duquette was hoping to add more on-base potential, but he made headlines instead for adding another potential 30-homer threat. This is a stretch, but theoretically the Orioles could get 20 or more home runs from every position in the batting order. They'll still need to improve the continuity of the offense by pumping up that so-so on-base percentage, something that Buck Showalter has identified as a priority this spring. A rejuvenated Nick Markakis figures to help, but let's not get carried away and assume Chris Davis is going to hit 53 home runs every year. (Karl Merton Ferron, Baltimore Sun)

The Rangers pulled off one of the major deals of the offseason, acquiring superstar Prince Fielder from the Tigers for leadoff man Ian Kinsler. It was an interesting swap that made perfect sense for a team that would go on to add terrific on-base threat Shin-Soo Choo. Even though the Rangers let go of slugger Nelson Cruz, they have big-time power distributed throughout their lineup and have Choo and Elvis Andrus up top to set everything in motion.

The Rangers pulled off one of the major deals of the offseason, acquiring superstar Prince Fielder from the Tigers for leadoff man Ian Kinsler. It was an interesting swap that made perfect sense for a team that would go on to add terrific on-base threat Shin-Soo Choo. Even though the Rangers let go of slugger Nelson Cruz, they have big-time power distributed throughout their lineup and have Choo and Elvis Andrus up top to set everything in motion. (Jamie Squire, Getty Images)

Showalter met with Cruz on Wednesday to see get a gauge on how ready he was for games after signing with the team this week. Cruz told Showalter he wanted to get some at-bats Thursday. Cruz had just one at-bat in the intrasquad game, grounding out on a sharp comebacker to lefty T.J. McFarland.

“I wish I could see more pitches,” Cruz said with a smile. “Overall it was good. … Maybe I’m not that ready, but the more at-bats you take, the better you feel. It’s just a matter of time to get a few at-bats and get you ready for the season.”

Cruz will start in Saturday’s Grapefruit League home opener against the Toronto Blue Jays.

“There’s no doubt I want to be in the fire right away,” he said. “I’ve been doing everything. It’s not the same as playing. I’ve taking some at-bats, taken some live pitching but nothing compared to this. … Maybe I’m ready for the fastball, but I need to see some breaking pitches.”

Cruz said he also told Showalter that he’d like to play most of his games in the outfield.

“Especially in spring training, so I can get everything done,” Cruz said. “It depends on how you feel. Sometimes in spring training you go out in your first at-bat and you feel great. ... Sometimes you go through feelings where you get hits but they shouldn’t be hits. Let’s see how I feel Saturday.”

Cruz said he didn’t know whether he’d start in left field or as the designated hitter Saturday.

“I don’t know, but I want to play in the outfield,” he said. “I get more chance to run and do more activity on the field.”

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